Homeopathy treats diseases with remedies, which in a healthy person cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of the given illness. This is the first principle of homeopathy – Similia similibus curentur – Like shall be cured by like. The second rule concerns application of remedies in small doses. The founder of this way of healing and the man, who gave the doctrine its name, was a German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). Homeopathy survived as the only one from three other 18th century curative methods: Brownism, Broussaism, and Mesmerism. Practitioners of homeopathy could be found even nowadays in various countries. Lay people with no or minimal medical knowledge also use homeopathy for treatment of illnesses. As we move on in time further and further from Hahnemann’s days, it is not only of interest, but enlightening as well, to go back to the roots of homeopathy, to the principles which often are forgotten or ignored. This book describes the historical origins of homeopathy. Based on the writings of the founder of homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the theory and practice of his ideas, as well as the philosophy and medical knowledge of his times are described. Homeopathy in such way becomes easily understandable and uncomplicated by later additions and changes. What is being presented to the public one and a half-century after the demise of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann has little or nothing in common with his original views. Further progress in medicine and sciences did not confirm any existence of the presumed Vis vitalis or some special healing power in the homeopathic preparations.
